Current Issue #4 - Justin Fox
EDLA 615 - Language Arts and Technology
New Class(room) War: Teacher vs. Technology
(title linked to article)
By Samuel J. Freedman
November 8, 2007
This article speaks of how a number of teachers have become simply exasperated at the fact that students are spending the majority of their class time utilizing technologies that distract them from the class. The article utilizes a professor’s plights with such technologies being used in his class, and documents his “no-tolerance” policy on cell phone use in his class. It also brings up technologies that can be utilized to monitor student usage of computers in class, such as SyncronEyes, that would allow the teacher to freeze a student’s computer if they are off task. Overall it paints quite a negative picture of the advent of technology usage at the university level.
I find the picture that this article paints about the use of technology in education to be very interesting. It seems to almost echo the opinion that many of the senior teachers tend to use in my own school, as well as an issue that I, myself tend to have. Being that I am a Computer Science teacher, I tend to experience many of the issues that the article addresses. I frequently observe my students, while in the lab portion of my class, surfing various different websites unrelated to the class. Initially, and due to this fact, I was very hesitant about conducting the lecture portion of my class in the lab as well. By employing a simple “turn off your monitor” technique with my class, however, the issue of distraction during lecture was resolved.
What is also interesting is how the issue of cell phone usage also extends to the university level. In a high school, I feel, the age and maturity level of the students directly influences their lack of attention to the simple rudeness that utilizing a cell phone in class would imply. I am surprised, however, to see that students at the college level possess such an innate disregard for simple politeness, by speaking on their cell phone in the midst of class. In this case, I do agree with the professor’s strict cell phone policy…but do not feel that it should extend to the high school level.
Needless to say, I wholeheartedly disagree with the negative stance that the article takes on the use of technology in the classroom, and, frankly, it disappoints me. There are so many positive aspects of the usage of technology in education, as we have observed in this very class (thank you Dr. McPherson). The fact that many teachers will not take the time to set a precedent in their class on the penalties that result from using distracting websites and, instead, simply avoid using technology altogether, is disheartening. I do not have a choice of utilizing technology, and holding my class in a computer lab. As a result, by instituting penalties for “illegal” surfing during class time (points off lab projects), I feel that I have controlled for such distractions. Simply put, if I can do it why can’t others?
2 comments:
It is interesting to see the other side of technology. We all experience it. I can't even tell you how many times a day I say "put the cell phone away or its mine." It is so rude. Students think just because they are not talking on it and they are "texting," that they are not bothering anyone. I disagree when you say a strict policy should not be brought down to the high school level. I think this is where we need it because like you said, they don't understand.
I just started as a lab teacher and I only too soon was introduced to remote the desktop feature where I can lock all the computer monitors when conducting my mini lesson. I automatically do it as I know even the best of classes will wonder to surf the net.It seems to be human nature, the temptation is just too great. Its not only the students I see doing this. The same thing goes on when I conduct teacher workshops. Everyone is programmed to checking their email everytime they come near a computer. So much for discipline!
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